Austin officer fatally shot hailed as a 'hero'

1of3A wreath and photo of SAPD Officer Jaime Padron along with his medals sits next to the casket at Shoreline Church on Wednesday. Padron was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 6, 2012.Photo: Associated Press

2of3An APD officer salutes as he pays respects at the casket prior to the service for APD Officer Jaime Padron at Shoreline Church on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Padron was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 6, 2012.Photo: AP

3of3Family members and law enforcement personnel gather following the service for APD Officer Jaime Padron at Shoreline Church on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Padron was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 6, 2012.Photo: AP

AUSTIN — An Austin police officer killed in the line of duty was hailed Wednesday as a “hero” during a memorial service attended by thousands of law enforcement officers from across Texas.

The public service for 40-year-old Senior Officer Jaime Padron drew nearly 5,000 people, most of them uniformed officers, before a funeral procession escorted his body to San Angelo for burial, about 200 miles northwest of Austin.

Acevedo praised Padron for his commitment to his family, his police work and colleagues.

“Above all else, he was a hero,” Acevedo said.

Padron's casket was draped in an American flag and flanked by photographs of the officer when he was a Marine and with his family. A large photo positioned above his casket showed him being kissed on both cheeks by his daughters, ages 10 and 6. Hundreds of officers lined up to file past the casket to pay their respects.

Police departments from Lubbock, Dallas, Fort Worth and Waco were among those to send representatives. Two members of the Chicago police department also attended, Acevedo said.

After about 90 minutes inside Shoreline Church, the memorial was moved outdoors. Under sunny skies with a light breeze, Padron was honored with a drum and pipe corps playing “Amazing Grace,” a three-rifle salute and a flyover by three helicopters from local and state police and rescue agencies.

Acevedo got down on one knee to talk quietly with Padron's daughters when he presented each of them with an American flag. Tears streamed down the cheeks of some officers when a lone trumpeter played “Taps” and many openly wept when Acevedo formally retired Padron's badge No. 6674.

“Godspeed, Officer Padron,” Acevedo said.

Padron was shot April 6 in a Walmart after responding to a call around 2:30 a.m. about a man causing a disturbance. Brandon Montgomery Daniel, 24, has been charged with capital murder in Padron's killing and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Authorities say Daniel was potentially intoxicated and tried to run. Padron chased him before the two fell to the ground, then the suspect produced a semi-automatic pistol and shot the officer. Padron was hit twice — once in his protective vest and a second time in the neck — and died at the scene.

He was the first officer shot and killed in the line of duty in Austin since 1978.